Manchester United were denied victory in their first game since the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim as relegation-threatened Burnley fought back to claim only their third point in 12 games.
The visitors were on track to claim a comeback victory when striker Benjamin Sesko doubled his tally for the season with two goals in a 10-minute spell at the start of the second half – both thanks to precise first-time finishes.
Ayden Heaven’s own goal had put Burnley in front at the break, and just as it looked as though they were heading for yet another defeat after Sesko’s goals, Jaidon Anthony equalised.
That made it a frustrating night for interim United boss Darren Fletcher, who ditched Amorim’s formation – including three central defenders and wing-backs – and saw his side carve out numerous chances.
Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu both had goalbound efforts cleared off the line, Lisandro Martinez had a goal disallowed for a debatable push on ex-Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, Sesko wasted a couple of chances to complete his hat-trick, and teenage substitute Shea Lacey curled a superb effort against the bar.
The visiting fans had made their feelings known about the club’s hierarchy before the game when they raised a banner bearing a message condemning minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They also sang a vicious song about co-chairman Joel Glazer.
However, they also sang loudly in support of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick – the two frontrunners to take over as caretaker boss until the end of the season.
Fletcher may have changed United’s formation at Turf Moor, but there are other elements of their make-up that will be far more troublesome to address no matter who is in charge until the end of the season.
They have still only kept two clean sheets this season, and – just as they did under Amorim – they coughed up goals far too easily.
After Casemiro lost his man, Heaven did not get out quickly enough to block Bashir Humphreys’ cross, creating the space that allowed it to flick off him and into the net.
Martinez and Luke Shaw were then both guilty of affording Anthony too much room inside the box, and he exploited it with a fine equaliser.
There were, though, some far more positive aspects to the evening – not least the performance of Sesko.
The Slovenian had scored just twice in his first 17 games as a United player. His performance in the draw at Leeds that triggered Amorim’s final outburst had led to the Portuguese having to defend his £73.7m forward.
It was Fletcher’s fortune that Sesko chose this game to show his ability.
The run that returning skipper Bruno Fernandes spotted to thread through the pass that invited the first-time low finish was excellent. Sesko was also in the right place to apply the close-range first-time finish to Dorgu’s cross.
At that stage, it looked as though Fletcher would celebrate a momentous day from a personal perspective with a win.
Burnley had other ideas, although the introduction of Lacey – repeatedly overlooked by Amorim – almost had a fairytale ending as he curled a superb shot against the bar before driving the visitors’ final chance just wide from 25 yards.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were stony-faced at the end of a three-game run of matches against relegation-threatened clubs in which United could do no better than three disappointing draws.
In a difficult Premier League season immediately after promotion from the Championship, you have to take small wins.
Burnley’s opening goal was credited to United defender Heaven, but it was certainly worth celebrating given it was the first time Scott Parker’s side had taken the lead in the Premier League since 8 November.
Though the Clarets were slightly fortunate to still be ahead at the break, leading at half-time was something they had not experienced since October.
Humphreys, in particular, was outstanding – delivering the cross that turned into a goal, then producing a brilliant goalline clearance from a Cunha header the Brazilian had almost started celebrating so sure was he that it was going in.
Maxime Esteve showed equal resolve to get back and clear a dinked Dorgu effort off the line – underlining Burnley have not given up on survival just yet.
Anthony’s equaliser led to huge cheers at the final whistle.
Burnley are eight points from safety, and the chances of escaping are receding fast. But their fans are still behind them, especially on nights like this.
Burnley have an FA Cup tie against Millwall on Saturday, 10 January (15:00 GMT), followed by a Premier League trip to Liverpool on 17 January (15:00 GMT).
Manchester United’s FA Cup third-round tie is an all-Premier League affair against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday, 11 January (16:30 GMT). They then have a Premier League home game against Manchester City on 17 January (12:30 GMT).
